• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.436-442
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• 1994

The characteristics of activated sludge affecting the biodegradation of plastic materials under aerobic condition were studied using cellophane film as a model system. The activated sludges of site 3, which treat a mixture of domestic sewage and supernatant of septic tank, obtained from December 1993 to April 1994 showed similar biodegradation activities. Biodegradations for 28 days reached around 80%. Viable cell number of inoculums maintained at a level of 10$^{6}$~10$^{7}$ /ml. In this range, viable cell number showed no relationship with biodegradation activities. The activa- ted sludges of site 2, which treat a mixture of domestic sewage and anaerobic digest of nightsoil, obtained four times from April 1993 to April 1994 showed very different biodegradation activities ranged from 20% to 80% for 28 days. Inoculum size affects biodegradation significantly. One percent inoculum showed the best biodegradation among the inoculum sizes of 0.1, 1.0 and 10%. Ten percent inoculum revealed inhibitory effects on the biodegradation activity which can be greatly reduced by centrifugation and filtration. Filtration was better than centrifugation in reducing inhibitory effects.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2002.04a
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• pp.379-380
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• 2002

Biodegradable polymers have been regarded as a good alternative to solve the plastic waste problems caused by nondegradable synthetic polymers such as polyethylene and polystyrene. In the soil environment, plastics are mainly being used as a mulching film for agricultural purposes. In this research, the miscibility, tensile properties and biodegradation effect of poly-${\varepsilon}$-caprolactone(PCL) with polyvinyl chloride(PVC) have been studied. After 8 weeks of biodegradation, PCL/PVC(9/91) blend surface showed newly formed many holes. Consequently, the antiplasticization phenomenon and biodegradation were observed in the PCL/PVC blends. It was confirmed that a test for general biodegradation condition can be applied to plastic biodegradation in soil.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.215-221
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• 2012

Synthetic plastics are important in many branches of industry. Although synthetic plastics provide numerous benefits, they also cause a significant environmental pollution problem because of their non-readily-biodegradability. Biodegradation may provide solution to the problem, but not enough is known about the biodegradation mechanisms of synthetic plastics. This review has been written to provide an overview of the current state of synthetic plastics (polyethylene, polyurethane, nylon, polyvinyl alcohol) biodegradation. Several biodegradation mechanisms of a few selected synthetic plastics are also presented.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.784-788
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• 1999

The effects of pH, moisture content, and the relative amount of a polymer sample on the biodegradation of degradable polymers in soil were studied using various polymer materials such as cellulose, poly-(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (SG) polycaprolactone (PCL), a blend of PCL and starch (PCL-starch), and a poly-lactic acid (PLA). As with other materials, the polymers degraded faster at a neutral pH than at either acidic or basic conditions. Moisture contents of 60 and 100% water holding capacity exhibited a similar biodegradability for various polymers, although the effects differed depending on the polymer. For synthetic polymers, biodegradation was faster at 60%, while the natural polymer (cellulose) degraded faster at 100%. Fungal hypae was observed at a 60% water holding capacity which may have affected the biodegradation of the polymers. A polymer amount of 0.25% to soil revealed the highest biodegradability among the ratios of 0.25, 0.5, and 1%. With a higher sample amount, the residual polymer could be recovered after the biodegradation test. It was confirmed that a test for general biodegradation condition can be applied to plastic biodegradation in soil.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.42
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• pp.34.1-34.7
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of biodegradable polycaprolactone membrane on new bone formation and the biodegradation of biphasic alloplastic bone substitutes using animal models. Materials and methods: In this study, bony defect was formed at the canine mandible of 8 mm in diameter, and the defects were filled with Osteon II. The experimental groups were covered with Osteoguide as barrier membrane, and the control groups were closed without membrane coverage. The proportion of new bone and residual bone graft material was measured histologically and histomorphometrically at postoperative 4 and 8 weeks. Results: At 4 weeks, the new bone proportion was similar between the groups. The proportion of remaining graft volume was 27.58 ± 6.26 and 20.01 ± 4.68% on control and experimental groups, respectively (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in new bone formation and the amount of residual bone graft material at 8 weeks. Conclusion: The biopolymer membrane contributes to early biodegradation of biphasic bone substitutes in the jaw defect but it does not affect the bone formation capacity of the bone graft.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Sciences Society Conference
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• 2020.10a
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• pp.208-208
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• 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the weight of Zophobas morio larvae and mass of polystyrene foam when the larvae were fed polystyrene for 27 days. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry was used to determine whether the polystyrene was broken down by the larvae. Forty Z. morio larvae (four replicates with 10 larvae per replicate) were reared in a chamber under controlled conditions with polystyrene foam blocks as their sole diet. The weight of the Z. morio larvae and mass of the polystyrene foam decreased as a function of time. The average weight of the larvae and mass of the polystyrene foam blocks decreased by 16.3 and 6.5%, respectively, over the 27-day period. The FTIR spectrum of Z. morio larvae fed with polystyrene foam did not reveal the unique peaks associated with polystyrene. In conclusion, this study suggests the possibility of using Z. morio larvae as a management technology for degrading waste plastics without a negative environmental effect. Key words : FTIR spectra, plastic biodegradation, polystyrene foam, Zophobas morio larvae.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.37
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• pp.6.1-6.9
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• 2015

Orthognathic surgery requires stable fixation for uneventful healing of osteotomized bony segments and optimal remodeling. Titanium plates and screws have been accepted as the gold standard for rigid fixation in orthognathic surgery. Although titanium osteofixation is the most widely used approach, the use of bioabsorbable devices has been increasing recently. Biodegradation of bioabsorbable devices eliminates the need for a second operation to remove metal plates and screws. However, long-term stability and relapse frequency in bioabsorbable osteofixation are still insufficiently studied, especially in cases of segmental movements of great magnitude or segmental movements to a position where bony resistance exists. This paper reviews the background, techniques, and complications of bioabsorbable osteofixation and compares bioabsorbable and titanium osteofixation in orthognathic surgery in terms of skeletal stability.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2024

Plastics are widely used in industries in human society and because of their structural stability, degradation is a serious global issue. To estimate the degradation of plastic, 31 edible mushrooms were cultured with the selected plastic films (polyethylene [PE], polystyrene [PS], and poly(ethylene terephthalate) [PET]) for 3 months at 25 ℃. Measuring the weight of the films showed that four species of mushrooms, namely Porostereum spadiceum, Ganoderma lucidum, Coprinellus micaceus, and Pleurotus ostreatus, exhibited the highest degrees of plastic degradation. In addition, the mushrooms and fungi that exhibited the most significant plastic degradation were cross-cultured to promote this degradation. As a result, cross-cultivation of G. lucidum and Aspergillus niger showed a weight loss of 2.49% for the PET film. For the PS film, Aspergillus nidulans showed a weight loss of 4.06%. Cross-cultivation of A. nidulans and C. micaceus, which showed a weight loss of 2.95%, was noted as an alternative for PS biodegradation, but is harmful to humans. These bio-degradation effects of edible mushroom will contribute to the development of alternatives for eco-friendly plastic degradation.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.112-117
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• 2016

This research compared the tensile performance of the vegetation mat, which was developed byu using the rapidly growing biodegradable plastic, Poly Lactic Acid(PLA), according to the biodegradation period. The test applied the method defined by Korean Standard KS. In the result of experiment using single-material PLA mesh and PLA plastic, the tensile strength and molecular weight were inverse-proportional to the 5 months of biodegradation period. The thickness of PLA mesh was increased by 11.2~13.4% while the tensile strenth of it was reduced by 32.4~55.4%. The tensile strength and molecular weight of PLA plastic were also reduced over time. However, the tension test of vegetation mat comprised of PLA mesh, non-woven fabric (including seeds), and jute net didn't have specific tendency.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.342-349
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• 2017

Polylactic acid (PLA) has been highlighted as an alternative renewable polymer for the replacement of petroleum-based plastic materials, and is considered to be biodegradable. On the other hand, the biodegradation of PLA by terminal degraders, such as microorganisms, requires a lengthy period in the natural environment, and its mechanism is not completely understood. PLA biodegradation studies have been conducted using mainly undefined mixed cultures, but only a few bacterial strains have been isolated and examined. For further characterization of PLA biodegradation, in this study, the PLA-degrading bacteria from digester sludge were isolated and identified using a polymer film-based screening method. The enrichment of sludge on PLA granules was conducted with the serial transference of a subculture into fresh media for 40 days, and the attached biofilm was inoculated on a PLA film on an agar plate. 3D optical microscopy showed that the isolates physically degraded the PLA film due to bacterial degradation. 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified the microbial colonies to be Pseudomonas sp. MYK1 and Bacillus sp. MYK2. The two isolates exhibited significantly higher specific gas production rates from PLA biodegradation compared with that of the initial sludge inoculum.